Currency exchange offices in Prague
If you need Czech crowns, it’s usually better to exchange money in the Czech Republic than in your home country. In Prague, you can convert cash into Czech crowns either at banks or currency exchanges, which you’ll find at various locations.
Warning: We strongly advise against changing money at Václav Havel Airport, where the exchange rate tends to be very unfavourable. If you’ve arranged a transfer in advance from the airport to the hotel, you won’t need to change any money. You can convert your cash into Czech crowns in the city centre.
We strongly advise against changing money at bureaux de change in the tourist areas of the city centre (Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, Karlova Street and Celetná Street). They usually offer very poor rates or charge excessive fees, and in the worst cases both.
Unscrupulous currency exchanges mislead customers with unfair practices. On the exchange rate boards, they show the selling rate instead of the buying rate. Pay special attention, because unfortunately, under the law, they’ re allowed to refuse cancelling the transaction if you’ ve already accepted the money you’ve been given.
At banks, the exchange rate policies are clear and honest, unlike those of some currency exchanges, but you shouldn’t automatically assume that a bank will guarantee a better deal. The rate you’re offered may be poor, so we recommend that you use a reputable bureau de change.
Here are some respectable places to convert your money in Prague. You won’t be in for nasty surprises at any of the following:
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The Alfa Prague currency exchange offices
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Náměstí Republiky 1, Prague 1 – New Town (Nové Město) – to the left from the main entrance to Palladium shopping mall: open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Na Příkopě 23, Prague 1 – Old Town (Staré Město) – in the Rathova passage: open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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The Huspak network is one of Prague’s most trusted and reputable places to change money.
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Charvátova 10, Prague 1 – New Town (Nové Město): open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Panská 1, Praha 1 – New Town (Nové Město), open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Finally, and most importantly, NEVER change money in the street! Being conned in a money exchange scam isn’t exactly the best way to start your holiday. So, it’s best to be forewarned.
This is how it works: someone hovering near a bureau de change will approach you, offering what on the surface appears to be a very favourable exchange rate. But instead of receiving Czech crowns, you’ll be given banknotes in a completely different currency. The monetary amount will be the same, but the actual value will be far less than in the Czech currency.
Although we warn visitors about this practice, every month we hear a story of at least one person unlucky enough to be conned in an apparently advantageous deal.
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